Image sensor

ABSTRACT

An image sensor includes a pixel array with pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction, intersecting the first direction. Each of the pixels includes a photodiode, a pixel circuit below the photodiode, and a color filter on or above the photodiode. A logic circuit acquires a pixel signal from the pixels through a plurality of column lines extending in the second direction. The pixels include color pixels and white pixels, the number of white pixels being greater than the number of color pixels. The pixel circuit includes a floating diffusion in which charges of the photodiode are accumulated and transistors outputting a voltage corresponding to amounts of charges in the floating diffusion. Each of the color pixels shares the floating diffusion with at least one neighboring white pixel, adjacent thereto in the second direction, among the white pixels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims benefit of priority to Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2021-0036431 filed on Mar. 22, 2021, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an image sensor.

An image sensor is a semiconductor-based sensor receiving light andgenerating an electrical signal and may include a pixel array having aplurality of pixels, a logic circuit driving the pixel array andgenerating an image, and the like. The logic circuit may acquire a pixelsignal from the pixels to generate image data. Recently, various methodsfor improving image quality by increasing sensitivity of an image sensorhave been proposed.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an image sensor havingexcellent sensitivity and resolution.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image sensorincludes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in afirst direction and a second direction, intersecting with the firstdirection. Each of the plurality of pixels includes at least onephotodiode, a pixel circuit below the photodiode, and a color filterabove the photodiode. A logic circuit is configured to acquire a pixelsignal from the plurality of pixels through a plurality of column linesextending in the second direction. The plurality of pixels includescolor pixels and white pixels, the number of the white pixels beinggreater than the number of the color pixels. The pixel circuit includesa floating diffusion in which charges of the photodiode are accumulatedand transistors outputting a voltage corresponding to amounts of chargesin the floating diffusion. Each of the color pixels shares the floatingdiffusion with at least one neighboring white pixel, among the whitepixels, and each of the color pixels is adjacent to the at least oneneighboring white pixel, in the second direction.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image sensorincludes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels connected to aplurality of row lines extending in a first direction and a plurality ofcolumn lines extending in a second direction, intersecting with thefirst direction. Each of the plurality of pixels includes at least onephotodiode and a pixel circuit below the at least one photodiode. Alogic circuit is configured to acquire a pixel signal from the pluralityof pixels. The plurality of pixels includes color pixels and whitepixels, the number of the white pixels being greater than the number ofthe color pixels. The logic circuit is configured to acquire the pixelsignal only from the color pixels when external illuminance is equal toor higher than a threshold value and acquire the pixel signal from theplurality of pixels when external illuminance is lower than thethreshold value.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image sensorincludes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels connected to aplurality of row lines extending in a first direction and a plurality ofcolumn lines extending in a second direction, intersecting with thefirst direction. The plurality of pixels provides a plurality of pixelgroups. A logic circuit is configured to acquire a pixel signal from theplurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels includes color pixels andwhite pixels, the number of the white pixels being greater than thenumber of the color pixels. Each of the plurality of pixel groupsincludes at least one color pixel among the color pixels and peripheralwhite pixels disposed around the at least one color pixel among thewhite pixels. A boundary between a pair of adjacent pixel groups amongthe plurality of pixel groups is a boundary between the peripheral whitepixels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an electronic deviceincluding an image sensor according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an image sensoraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating pixels included in an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating pixels included in an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a view schematically illustrating pixels included in an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel group included in apixel array of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views schematically illustrating a pixel circuitof an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views illustrating an operation of an image sensoraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B are views illustrating an operation of animage sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 16A to 16C are views schematically illustrating a pixel array ofan image sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views schematically illustrating a pixel array ofan image sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are views schematically illustrating a pixel array of animage sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are views schematically illustrating an electronicdevice including an image sensor according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an electronic deviceincluding an image sensor according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 10 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure may be a mobile device such as a smartphone orthe like, and may include camera devices 20 and 30. However, it shouldbe understood that the electronic device 10 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure is not limited to a mobile device and mayinclude all devices including the camera devices 20 and 30. Also, thenumber of camera devices 20 and 30 included in the electronic device 10may be variously modified.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 mayinclude a first camera device 20 and a second camera device 30 and thefirst camera device 20 and the second camera device 30 may include animage sensor and an optical module for guiding incident light to theimage sensor, respectively. The first camera device 20 and the secondcamera device 30 may have different structures. For example, an imagesensor included in the first camera device 20 may have an upper surfaceof a pixel array, parallel to an X-Y plane, and an image sensor includedin the second camera device 30 may have an upper surface of a pixelarray, parallel to the X-Y plane. An optical module of the first cameradevice 20 may include a refractive member refracting incident light andtransmitting the same to the pixel array of the image sensor. Forexample, the refractive member may be implemented as a prism or thelike.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an image sensoraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, an image sensor 40 may include a pixel array 50, alogic circuit 60, and the like.

The pixel array 50 may include a plurality of pixels PX arranged in anarray form in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each ofthe plurality of pixels PX may include at least one photoelectricconversion element that generates charge in response to light, a pixelcircuit that generates a pixel signal corresponding to the chargegenerated by the photoelectric conversion element, and the like. Thephotoelectric conversion element may include a photodiode formed of asemiconductor material, an organic photodiode formed of an organicmaterial, and/or the like.

For example, the pixel circuit may include a floating diffusion, atransfer transistor, a reset transistor, a drive transistor, a selecttransistor, or the like. A configuration of the pixels PX may varyaccording to embodiments. For example, each of the pixels PX may includean organic photodiode including an organic material or may beimplemented as a digital pixel. When the pixels PX are implemented asdigital pixels, each of the pixels PX may include an analog-to-digitalconverter for outputting a digital pixel signal.

The logic circuit 60 may include circuits for controlling the pixelarray 50. For example, the logic circuit 60 may include a row driver 61,a readout circuit 62, a column driver 63, a control logic 64, and thelike. The row driver 61 may drive the pixel array 50 in units of rowlines. For example, the row driver 61 may generate a transmissioncontrol signal for controlling the transfer transistor of the pixelcircuit, a reset control signal for controlling the reset transistor, aselect control signal for controlling the select transistor or the like,to input them into the pixel array 50 in units of row lines.

The readout circuit 62 may include a correlated double sampler (CDS), ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC), or the like. The correlated doublesamplers may be connected to the pixels PX through column lines. Thecorrelated double samplers may read a pixel signal through column lines,from the pixels PX connected to a row line selected by a row line selectsignal of the row driver 61. The analog-to-digital converter may convertthe pixel signal detected by the correlated double sampler into adigital pixel signal and may transmit the digital pixel signal to thecolumn driver 63.

The column driver 63 may include a latch circuit or a buffer circuit fortemporarily storing the digital pixel signal, an amplifying circuit, andthe like and may process the digital pixel signal received from thereadout circuit 62. The row driver 61, the readout circuit 62, and thecolumn driver 63 may be controlled by the control logic 64. The controllogic 64 may include a timing controller for controlling operationtiming of the row driver 61, the readout circuit 62, and the columndriver 63 and the like.

Among the pixels PX, pixels PX disposed at the same position in a firstdirection (a horizontal direction) may share the same column line. Forexample, pixels PX disposed at the same position in a second direction(a vertical direction) may be simultaneously selected by the row driver61 and may output pixel signals through column lines. In an embodiment,the readout circuit 62 may simultaneously acquire the pixel signalsthrough column lines, from the pixels PX selected by the row driver 61.The pixel signal may include a reset voltage and a pixel voltage. Thepixel voltage may be a voltage in which charges generated in response tolight in each of the pixels PX are reflected in the reset voltage.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the pixels PX included in thepixel array 50 may provide one pixel group. Therefore, a plurality ofpixel groups may be disposed in the pixel array 50. At least a portionof the photodiodes included in one pixel group may share elements suchas a floating diffusion, a reset transistor, a drive transistor, aselect transistor, or the like.

In order to increase sensitivity of the image sensor 40, an area of eachof the pixels PX included in the pixel array 50 may be increased. Whenan area of each of the pixels PX increases, a total area of the imagesensor 40 may inevitably increase in order to generate a high-resolutionimage. In this case, a volume of an electronic device on which the imagesensor 40 is mounted may increase together therewith.

The present disclosure proposes an image sensor 40 capable ofsimultaneously providing high sensitivity and resolution whileimplementing each of the pixels PX in a small area. For example, some ofthe pixels PX may be implemented as color pixels, and others of thepixels PX may be implemented as white pixels. In an embodiment, thenumber and arrangement of white pixels and color pixels may bedetermined in consideration of a ratio of rod cells sensing brightnessof light and cone cells sensing a color of the light, among cellspresent in a human eye. Therefore, the image sensor 40 having highsensitivity, while minimizing an increase in area of each of the pixelsPX, may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, a pixel array 100 of an image sensor according toan embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality ofpixels 110 and 120 arranged in the first direction (the X-axisdirection) and the second direction (the Y-axis direction). For example,the pixel array 100 may include a color pixel 110 and a white pixel 120.The color pixel 110 and the white pixel 120 may be provided as aplurality of color pixels 110 and a plurality of white pixels 120,respectively, and the number thereof may be variously changed. Forexample, the number of white pixels 120 may be greater than the numberof color pixels 110.

For example, the number of color pixels 110 and the number of whitepixels 120 may be determined in consideration of the number of conecells and rod cells present in a human eye. Millions of cone cells andtens of millions of rod cells may exist in the human eye, and a ratio ofthe number of color pixels 110 to the number of white pixels 120 may bedetermined in consideration thereof. In an embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, the number of white pixels 120 may be eight times the number ofcolor pixels 110. The number of color pixels 110 and the number of whitepixels 120 may be variously changed according to embodiments.

The color pixel 110 may provide a pixel group PG, together withperipheral white pixels disposed around the color pixel 110 among thewhite pixels 120. Referring to FIG. 3, one color pixel 110 may provideone pixel group PG, together with eight peripheral white pixels.

In each of the pixel groups PG, the color pixels 110 may be disposed atthe same position. Referring to FIG. 3, in each of the pixel groups PG,the color pixel 110 may be disposed in a central portion. Therefore, aboundary between a pair of pixel groups PG continuously arranged in thefirst direction or the second direction may be defined as a boundarybetween peripheral white pixels. For example, the boundary between thepair of pixel groups PG may be adjacent to only the white pixel 120 andmay not be adjacent to the color pixel 110.

The color pixel 110 may include a color filter selectively passing lightof a specific wavelength. For example, the color filter may pass one ofred, green, and blue light. Referring to FIG. 3, a color pixel 110included in one pixel group PG may include a color filter having a colordifferent from that of a color pixel 110 included in another pixel groupPG, adjacent in the first direction or the second direction. Colorpixels 110 included in the four pixel groups PG disposed adjacent toeach other in a 2×2 form in the first direction and the second directionmay include two green color pixels, one red color pixel, and one bluecolor pixel.

FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating pixels included in an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, FIG. 4 may be cross-sectional views of the color pixel 110and the white pixel 120 in the pixel array 100 according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Each of the color pixel 110 and thewhite pixel 120 may include a photodiode PD formed in a semiconductorsubstrate 101. In each of the color pixel 110 and the white pixel 120,the photodiode PD may be connected to elements 102 and the elements 102may provide a pixel circuit, together with wiring patterns 103. Theelements 102 and the wiring patterns 103 may be covered with aninsulating layer 104.

Referring to FIG. 4, the color pixel 110 may include a first microlens111, a first light transmitting layer 112, and a first color filter 115arranged in an incident path of light. In addition, the white pixel 120may include a second microlens 121, a second light transmitting layer122, and a second color filter 125 arranged in an incident path oflight. According to an embodiment, the first color filter 115 may passlight of a specific wavelength band. For example, the first color filter115 may pass light of a wavelength band corresponding to one of red,green, and blue colors. The second color filter 125 may pass light ofmost wavelength bands, not a specific wavelength band. In an embodiment,the second color filter 125 may be formed of the same material as thelight transmitting layer 122.

Therefore, the photodiode PD of the color pixel 110 may generate chargesin response to light of a specific wavelength band passing through thefirst color filter 115, while the photodiode PD of the white pixel 120may generate charges in response to light passing through the secondcolor filter 125. Therefore, in response to light of the same intensity,the photodiode PD of the white pixel 120 may generate more charges thanthe photodiode PD of the color pixel 110, and the white pixel 120 mayhave higher sensitivity than the color pixel 110.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pixel array 100 mayinclude a larger number of white pixels 120 than the color pixels 110.By disposing more white pixels 120 in the pixel array 100 compared tothe color pixels 110, sensitivity of the image sensor may be improved,and high-quality images may be acquired even in a low illuminanceenvironment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a ratio of thenumber of color pixels 110 to the number of white pixels 120 may beconfigured to be 1:8, to improve sensitivity of the image sensor threetimes or more, as compared to a case in which a pixel array 100 isconfigured to have only color pixels 110. In an embodiment, the imagesensor may generate an image by binning pixel signals of color pixels110 and white pixels 120 included in one pixel group PG in a lowilluminance environment.

There may be a problem in that, since sensitivity of the white pixel 120is higher than sensitivity of the color pixel 110, when the image sensoroperates in the same manner as in a low illuminance environment even ina high illuminance environment, the photodiode PD of the white pixel 120is saturated to deteriorate image quality. According to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the above problem may be solved by generating animage using only a pixel signal generated by the color pixel 110 in ahigh illuminance environment. For example, in a high illuminanceenvironment, the image sensor may use a remosaic method to generate animage using only a pixel signal generated by the color pixel 110.

FIG. 5 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, a pixel array 100A of an image sensor according toan embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality ofpixels 110A and 120A arranged in the first direction (the X-axisdirection) and the second direction (the Y-axis direction). Arrangementof the color pixel 110A and the white pixel 120A in the pixel array 100Amay be similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 3. Forexample, the pixel array 100A may provide one pixel group PG and thepixel group PG may include a color pixel 110A and peripheral whitepixels, which are each a white pixel 120A disposed around the colorpixel 110A.

Referring to FIG. 5, the color pixel 110A may include two or morephotodiodes to provide an autofocusing function. For example, the colorpixel 110A may include two or more photodiodes arranged in at least oneof the first direction (the X-axis direction) or the second direction(the Y-axis direction), and an autofocusing function may be implementedusing a phase difference between pixel signals acquired from thephotodiodes included in the color pixel 110A.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating pixels included in an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, FIG. 6 may be cross-sectional views of the color pixel 110Aand the white pixel 120A in the pixel array 100A according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. Similarly to that described above withreference to FIG. 4, each of the color pixel 110A and the white pixel120A may include a photodiode PD formed in a semiconductor substrate101. In each of the color pixel 110A and the white pixel 120A, elements102 formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate 101 may providea pixel circuit together with wiring patterns 103. The elements 102 andthe wiring patterns 103 may be covered with an insulating layer 104.

Microlenses 111 and 121, light transmitting layers 112 and 122, andcolor filters 115 and 125 may be formed on the other surface of thesemiconductor substrate 101. Configurations of the microlenses 111 and121, the light transmitting layers 112 and 122, and the color filters115 and 125 may be similar to those described above with reference toFIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, unlike the white pixel 120A including onephotodiode PD, the color pixel 110A may include a first photodiode PD1and a second photodiode PD2 arranged in the first direction. A lightreceiving area of the first photodiode PD1 may be substantially equal toa light receiving area of the second photodiode PD2.

The color pixel 110A may be implemented to include the first photodiodePD1 and the second photodiode PD2 to provide an autofocusing functionfor the image sensor. For example, according to a wavelength band oflight transmitted by the light transmitting layer 115, the color pixel110A may calculate a distance to a specific region of a subject. Whenthe light transmitting layer 115 transmits light in a wavelength bandcorresponding to a red color, the image sensor may calculate a distanceto a red region of the subject using a phase difference between pixelsignals acquired from the color pixel 110A. Similarly, when the lighttransmitting layer 115 transmits light of a wavelength bandcorresponding to a green color or a blue color, the image sensor maycalculate a distance to a green region or a blue region of the subjectusing a phase difference between pixel signals acquired from the colorpixel 110A.

FIG. 7 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, a pixel array 100B of an image sensor according toan embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality ofpixels 110B and 120B arranged in the first direction (the X-axisdirection) and the second direction (the Y-axis direction). Arrangementof the color pixel 110B and the white pixel 120B in the pixel array 100Bmay be similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.For example, the pixel array 100B may provide one pixel group PG, andthe pixel group PG may include a color pixel 110B and peripheral whitepixels, which are each a white pixel 120B disposed around the colorpixel 110B.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the color pixel 110B and thewhite pixel 120B may include two or more photodiodes, respectively, toprovide an autofocusing function. For example, the color pixel 110B aswell as the white pixel 120B may include two or more photodiodesarranged in at least one of the first direction (the X-axis direction)or the second direction (the Y-axis direction). The image sensor mayimplement an autofocusing function by using a phase difference betweenpixel signals acquired from the photodiodes included in the color pixel110B and the white pixel 120B. Referring to FIG. 7, photodiodes areillustrated as being arranged in the first direction in all of thepixels 110B and 120B included in the pixel array 100B. According toembodiments, in at least one of the pixels 110B or 120B, photodiodes maybe arranged in the second direction.

FIG. 8 is a view schematically illustrating pixels included in an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the color pixel 110B and the white pixel 120B mayinclude a first photodiode PD1 and a second photodiode PD2 arranged inthe first direction, respectively. In each of the color pixel 110B andthe white pixel 120B, a light receiving area of the first photodiode PD1may be substantially equal to a light receiving area of the secondphotodiode PD2. Elements 102 and wiring patterns 103, providing a pixelcircuit, and an insulating layer 104 covering the elements 102 and thewiring patterns 103 may be disposed on one surface of a semiconductorsubstrate 101. Microlenses 111 and 121, light transmitting layers 112and 122, and color filters 115 and 125 may be disposed on the othersurface of the semiconductor substrate 101.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, since all of the pixels 110Band 120B include the first photodiode PD1 and the second photodiode PD2,a relatively better autofocusing function may be provided. Also, in someembodiments, the first photodiode PD1 and the second photodiode PD2 maybe formed to be arranged in the second direction in some of the pixels110B and 120B, to implement an autofocusing function in all of the firstdirection and the second direction.

FIG. 9 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel group included in apixel array of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 10A and 10B are views schematically illustrating apixel circuit of an image sensor according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

A pixel array of an image sensor according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure may include a plurality of pixel groups PG1 to PG4.Referring to FIG. 9, pixel groups PG1 to PG4 according to an embodimentmay include nine pixels PX1 to PX9, respectively. For example, at leastone of the nine pixels PX1 to PX9 may be a color pixel, and the othersthereof may be peripheral white pixels disposed around the color pixel.In an embodiment, a fifth pixel PX5 may be implemented as a color pixel,and first to fourth pixels PX1 to PX4 and sixth to ninth pixels PX6 toPX9 may be implemented as peripheral white pixels.

The pixel groups PG1 to PG4 may be disposed in the first direction (theX-axis direction) and the second direction (the Y-axis direction), andthus a first boundary BD1 and a second boundary BD2 may be defined. Forexample, the first boundary BD1 may be a boundary extending in the firstdirection, and the second boundary BD2 may be a boundary extending inthe second direction.

When only the fifth pixel PX5 is implemented as a color pixel in each ofthe pixel groups PG1 to PG4, the first boundary BD1 and the secondboundary BD2 may be defined as a boundary between the first to fourthand sixth to ninth neighboring white pixels PX1 to PX4 and PX6 to PX9.Therefore, the first boundary BD1 and the second boundary BD2 may beseparated from each other, without being adjacent to the fifth pixelPX5, a color pixel.

The pixels PX1 to PX9 may include at least one photodiode and a pixelcircuit generating a pixel signal corresponding to charges generated bythe photodiode, respectively. According to embodiments, at least some ofthe pixels PX1 to PX9 in each of the pixel groups PG1 to PG4 may shareat least one of elements included in the pixel circuit. Hereinafter, apixel circuit of the pixels PX1 to PX9 included in the pixel group PGwill be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B may be diagrams illustrating pixel circuits of pixelsPX1 to PX9 included in one pixel group PG. Referring to FIGS. 10A and10B, each of the pixels PX1 to PX9 may include one of photodiodes PD1 toPD9 and one of transfer transistors TX1 to TX9. When at least one of thepixels PX1 to PX9 is provided as an autofocusing pixel for providing anautofocusing function, the autofocusing pixel may include two or morephotodiodes.

First, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10A, three pixels arrangedin the second direction in one pixel group PG may share a floatingdiffusion, a reset transistor, a drive transistor, and a selecttransistor. Referring to FIG. 10A, in one pixel group, first to thirdpixels PX1 to PX3 connected to a first column line Col1 may share afirst floating diffusion FD1, a first reset transistor RX1, a firstdrive transistor DX1, and a first select transistor SX1.

In addition, fourth to sixth pixels PX4 to PX6 connected to a secondcolumn line Col2 may share a second floating diffusion FD2, a secondreset transistor RX2, a second drive transistor DX2, and a second selecttransistor SX2 and seventh to ninth pixels PX7 to PX9 connected to athird column line Col3 may share a third floating diffusion FD3, a thirdreset transistor RX3, a third drive transistor DX3, and a third selecttransistor SX3. Therefore, a fifth pixel PX5, which may be a colorpixel, and fourth and sixth neighboring white pixels PX4 and PX6, whichmay be adjacent to the fifth pixel PX5 in the second direction, amongthe white pixels PX1 to PX4 and PX6 to PX9, may share the secondfloating diffusion FD2.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10A, one pixel groupPG may include three floating diffusions FD1 to FD3, three resettransistors RX1 to RX3, three drive transistors DX1 to DX3, and threeselect transistors SX1 to SX3. Therefore, a pixel circuit may beefficiently arranged in a limited area.

A logic circuit of an image sensor may drive the pixels PX1 to PX9 by arolling shutter method and may acquire pixel signals through the columnlines Col1 to Col3. For example, the floating diffusions FD1 to FD3 maybe reset with a power voltage VDD by a reset control signal RG and areset voltage may be acquired through the column lines Col1 to Col3.Thereafter, the first, fourth, and seventh transfer transistors TX1,TX4, and TX7 may be turned on by a first transmission control signal TG1and pixel voltages corresponding to charges generated by the first,fourth, and seventh photodiodes PD1, PD4, and PD7 may be output throughcolumn lines Col1 to Col3. The logic circuit may generate a pixel signalcorresponding to a difference between a reset voltage and a pixelvoltage, for each of the first, fourth, and seventh pixels PX1, PX4, andPX7. The logic circuit may acquire a pixel signal for each of the pixelsPX1 to PX9 by repeating the same operation as above.

In an embodiment, the logic circuit of the image sensor may drive thepixels PX1 to PX9 differently according to illuminance. For example, ina low illuminance environment in which intensity of light is weak, thelogic circuit may acquire a reset voltage through the column lines Col1to Col3 and may sequentially toggle first to third transmission controlsignals TG1 to TG3. Therefore, pixel voltages corresponding to chargesof the first to third photodiodes PD1 to PD3 may be output through thefirst column line Col1, pixel voltages corresponding to charges of thefourth to sixth photodiodes PD4 to PD6 may be output through the secondcolumn line Col2, and pixel voltages corresponding to charges of theseventh to ninth photodiodes PD7 to PD9 may be output through the thirdcolumn line Col3.

In a low illuminance environment, the logic circuit may simultaneouslyacquire pixel signals from two or more pixels (e.g., PX1 to PX9) sharingeach of the column lines Col1 to Col3 and, as a result, image data maybe constructed using a pixel signal for one pixel group PG. For example,a pixel signal for one pixel group PG may be acquired through theplurality of pixels PX1 to PX9 and image quality may be improved byincreasing sensitivity of the image sensor. In an embodiment, image datamay be generated from a pixel signal generated from a white pixel thatdoes not include a color filter by an image signal processor (ISP)provided inside or outside the logic circuit.

Also, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pixel group PG mayinclude a color pixel and a white pixel and the number of white pixelsmay be greater than the number of color pixels. By disposing more whitepixels having relatively high sensitivity in the pixel group PG,intensity of a pixel signal may increase and sensitivity and imagequality of an image sensor may be effectively improved in a lowilluminance environment.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10B, pixels PX1 to PX9 included inone pixel group PG may include a floating diffusion (e.g., FD1 throughFD9), a reset transistor (e.g., RX1 through RX9), a drive transistor(e.g., DX1 through DX9) and a select transistor (e.g., SX1 through SX9),respectively. In a low luminance environment, a logic circuit of animage sensor may toggle first to third reset control signals RG1 to RG3to reset voltages of floating diffusions FD1 to FD9, to preferentiallyobtain reset voltages. Thereafter, the logic circuit may acquire pixelvoltages through column lines Col1 to Col3 while sequentially togglingfirst to third transmission control signals TG1 to TG3. Therefore, in alow illuminance environment, pixel signals may be simultaneouslyacquired from the pixels PX1 to PX9 sharing the column lines Col1 toCol3 and an image may be configured using the pixel signal acquired forone pixel group PG. As a result, degradation of sensitivity may beprevented and image quality may be improved, in a low illuminanceenvironment.

In a high illuminance environment, a photodiode of a white pixel may besaturated due to strong intensity of light. In an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, an image may be composed only of pixel signalsacquired from color pixels in a high luminance environment. In order tocompose an image using only pixel signals acquired from color pixels,the logic circuit may use a remosaic method.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views illustrating an operation of an image sensoraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 may be a diagram illustrating an operation of an image sensor ina high illuminance environment having a relatively large amount oflight, and FIG. 12 may be a diagram illustrating an operation of animage sensor in a low illuminance environment having a relatively smallamount of light. Referring first to FIG. 11, a pixel array 200 mayinclude a color pixel CP and a white pixel WP. Pixel groups PG1 to PG4may include nine pixels arranged in a 3×3 form, respectively, and mayinclude, for example, one color pixel CP and eight white pixels WP,respectively.

When an image sensor is operated in a high illuminance environment, inthe white pixel WP having relatively high sensitivity, compared to thecolor pixel CP, a phenomenon in which a photodiode is saturated mayoccur even when the same exposure time period is applied. Therefore,when external illuminance is equal to or greater than a predeterminedthreshold value, an image sensor may acquire a pixel signal only from acolor pixel CP. When an image is composed only of a pixel signal onlyfrom a color pixel CP, resolution of the image may be lowered, comparedto the number of pixels included in the pixel array 200.

For example, the pixel array 200 may include 120,000 color pixels CP and960,000 white pixels WP. In the above example, the number of the colorpixels CP and the number of the white pixels WP may be determined inconsideration of a ratio of cone cells for distinguishing colors oflight and rod cells for distinguishing intensity of the light in a humaneye. Therefore, when an image is generated using only a pixel signalacquired from the color pixel CP, resolution of the image may bereduced, compared to the number of pixels included in the pixel array200.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a decrease in resolution maybe prevented by performing a remosaic method for a pixel signal by animage sensor and generating an image in a high illuminance environment.The image sensor may convert a pixel signal acquired from the colorpixel CP of the pixel array 200 into pixel data that may be digitaldata. The remosaic method may include an operation of rearrangingsequences of pixel data acquired from the color pixels CP.

Referring to FIG. 11, pixel data acquired from the color pixels CP maybe rearranged according to a pattern of the color pixels CP included inthe pixel array 200. Therefore, image data 210 having the sameresolution as the number of pixels included in the pixel array 200 maybe generated. The image data 210 may be configured to include a greenpixel GP, a red pixel RP, and a blue pixel BP. In an embodimentillustrated in FIG. 11, since the color pixels CP may be arranged in aBayer pattern in the pixel array 200, the green pixel GP, the red pixelRP, and the blue pixel BP included in the image data 210 may also bearranged in a Bayer pattern.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, a pixel array 200 may include a color pixelCP and a white pixel WP. Pixel groups PG1 to PG4 may include nine pixelsarranged in a 3×3 form, respectively, and may include, for example, onecolor pixel CP and eight white pixels WP, respectively.

When an image sensor is operated in a low illuminance environment, imagequality may be improved by using a pixel signal output from the whitepixel WP having relatively high sensitivity, compared to the color pixelCP. The image sensor may determine a case in which external illuminanceis equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, as a lowilluminance environment, and may acquire pixel signals from the colorpixel CP and the white pixel WP.

In order to increase sensitivity of an image generated by capturing animage of a subject in a low illuminance environment, the image sensormay acquire pixel signals corresponding to each of the pixel groups PG1to PG4. In this case, a pixel signal generated from the white pixel WPnot including a color filter may be processed by an image signalprocessor. In an embodiment, the image signal processor may process apixel signal generated from the white pixel WP, based on a color of acolor filter of the color pixel CP included in each of the pixel groupsPG1 to PG4, to acquire a pixel signal corresponding to each of the pixelgroups PG1 to PG4.

In a low illuminance environment, since an amount of light introducedfrom the subject may be small, it may be difficult for a logic circuitof the image sensor to secure pixel data having sufficient informationfrom each of the pixels of the pixel array 200. In an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, since a pixel signal may be generated as a unit ineach of the pixel groups PG1 to PG4, the logic circuit may acquire datahaving sufficient information to represent the subject.

For example, the color pixel CP and the white pixel WP included in thefirst pixel group PG1 may be defined as a first unit pixel UP1. Thelogic circuit of the image sensor may be connected to the first pixelgroup PG1 through three column lines and may sum pixel signals acquiredthrough the three column lines. The logic circuit may acquire a firstpixel signal corresponding to the first unit pixel UP1 as a result ofthe summation. An analog binning operation, similar to the above, may bealso performed on the second to fourth pixel groups PG2 to PG4.Therefore, logic circuit may acquire second to fourth pixel signalscorresponding to second to fourth unit pixels UP2 to UP4. Thereafter,after processing the pixel signal by the image signal processor or thelike in consideration of a color of a color filter of the color pixel CPincluded in each of the pixel groups PG1 to PG4, image data may beconfigured.

Therefore, resolution of image data 220 generated in a low luminanceenvironment may be smaller than the number of pixels included in thepixel array 200. For example, resolution of the image data 220 maycorrespond to the number of pixel groups PG1 to PG4 included in thepixel array 200. While resolution of the image data 220 may be reduced,since sensitivity of the image sensor may be maximized in a lowilluminance environment, a subject may be accurately expressed.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, since pixelgroups PG1 to PG4 may be implemented to include a color pixel CP and awhite pixel WP, respectively, sensitivity of an image sensor may be moreeffectively secured in a low luminance environment. As described above,the number of white pixels WP may be greater than the number of colorpixels CP and the number of white pixels WP may be an integer multipleof the number of color pixels CP. In an embodiment, the number of whitepixels WP may be 4 times or more of the number of color pixels CP, andthe number of white pixels WP may be eight or more times the number ofcolor pixels CP, in consideration of the number of cone cells and rodcells, present in a human eye. The number of white pixels WP and thenumber of color pixels CP may be variously modified, depending on thenumber of pixels included in each of the pixel groups PG1 to PG4 andarrangement of the white pixels WP and the color pixels CP.

FIGS. 13A to 14B are views illustrating an operation of an image sensoraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, FIGS. 13A and 13B may be diagrams illustrating an operation of animage sensor in a high illuminance environment. Referring to FIGS. 13Aand 13B, an image sensor 300 may include a pixel array 310 and a logiccircuit 320. The pixel array 310 may include a plurality of pixels, andthe plurality of pixels may include a color pixel CP and a white pixelWP. Arrangement of the color pixel CP and the white pixel WP in thepixel array 310 may be variously modified according to embodiments.

The logic circuit 320 may include a row driver 321, a readout circuit322, and a control logic 323. The row driver 321 may be connected to theplurality of pixels through a plurality of row lines R1 to R6, and thereadout circuit 322 may be connected to the plurality of pixels througha plurality of column lines C1 to C6.

In embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the pixel circuits ofthe color pixel CP and the white pixel WP may be the same as describedabove with reference to FIG. 10A or 10B. For example, a color pixel CPmay provide one pixel group together with eight white pixels WP disposedaround the color pixel CP. Three pixels in the pixel group, connected toone of the column lines C1 to C6, may share a floating diffusion, areset transistor, a drive transistor, a select transistor, or the like.Alternatively, a color pixel CP and a white pixel WP may include afloating diffusion, a reset transistor, a drive transistor, or a selecttransistor, respectively.

Since the white pixel WP may have relatively high sensitivity comparedto the color pixel CP, the white pixel WP may be saturated relativelyquickly when exposed to light for the same exposure time period in ahigh luminance environment. Therefore, in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, in a high illuminance environment in which the white pixelWP is expected to be easily saturated, the image sensor 300 may onlygenerate image data with a pixel signal acquired from the color pixelCP.

First, referring to FIG. 13A, a second row line R2, which may be a firstrow line to which a color pixel CP is connected, among the row lines R1to R6, may be activated. The row driver 321 may input a secondtransmission control signal TG2 to the second row line R2. In responseto the second transmission control signal TG2, a transfer transistor maybe turned on in a color pixel CP and a white pixel WP, connected to thesecond row line R2, and charges generated by a photodiode may move to afloating diffusion.

The readout circuit 322 may acquire a pixel voltage from the color pixelCP and the white pixel WP, connected to the second row line R2 throughthe plurality of column lines C1 to C6. The readout circuit 322 maygenerate a pixel signal corresponding to a difference between the pixelvoltage and a reset voltage acquired through the plurality of columnlines C1 to C6, before the second transmission control signal TG2 isinput. In some embodiments, the readout circuit 322 may acquire a resetvoltage and a pixel voltage only through some column lines C2 and C5 towhich the color pixel CP is connected and may generate a pixel signal.

Next, referring to FIG. 13B, the row driver 321 may activate a fifth rowline R5, which may be a second row line to which a color pixel CP isconnected among the row lines R1 to R6. In response to a fifthtransmission control signal TG5, a transfer transistor may be turned onin a color pixel CP and a white pixel WP, connected to the fifth rowline R5 and charges generated by a photodiode may move to a floatingdiffusion.

The readout circuit 322 may acquire a pixel voltage from the color pixelCP and the white pixel WP connected to the fifth row line R5 through theplurality of column lines C1 to C6. The readout circuit 322 may generatea pixel signal corresponding to a difference between the pixel voltageand a reset voltage acquired through the plurality of column lines C1 toC6, before the fifth transmission control signal TG5 is input. In someembodiments, the readout circuit 322 may acquire a reset voltage and apixel voltage only through some column lines C2 and C5 to which thecolor pixel CP is connected and may generate a pixel signal.

As described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the pixel signalacquired from the color pixel CP may be converted into pixel data, whichmay be digital data. The control logic 323 may perform a remosaicoperation of rearranging the pixel data to generate image data. Theremosaic operation may be similar to that described with reference toFIG. 11. For example, the control logic 323 may generate image data byrearranging pixel data according to arrangement of color pixels CPincluded in the pixel array 310.

Next, FIGS. 14A and 14B may be diagrams illustrating an operation of animage sensor in a low illuminance environment. As described above, sincea white pixel WP may have relatively high sensitivity compared to acolor pixel CP, image data may be generated using a pixel signalacquired from the white pixel WP in a low illuminance environment toimprove quality of an image. For example, a readout circuit 322 may sumup pixel voltages of a portion of pixels respectively connected to aplurality of column lines C1 to C6, to use a pixel signal from the whitepixel WP to generate image data. Since the white pixel WP does notinclude a color filter, the pixel signal may be processed by an imagesignal processor and may be then converted into image data.

Pixels included in a pixel array 310 may be driven in units of pixelgroups. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, a pixelgroup may include nine pixels arranged in a 3×3 form. First, referringto FIG. 14A, first to third control signals TG1 to TG3 may besequentially input to first to third row lines R1 to R3 connected tofirst pixel groups. The readout circuit 322 may sequentially acquirepixel voltages of pixels connected to the first row line R1, pixelvoltages of pixels connected to the second row line R2, and pixelvoltages of pixels connected to the third row line R3 through the columnlines C1 to C6.

Alternatively, in each of the pixel groups, three pixels connected toeach of the column lines C1 to C6 are configured to share a floatingdiffusion and a drive transistor and charges of photodiodes included inthe three pixels may be accumulated in the floating diffusion by thefirst to third control signals TG1 to TG3. The readout circuit 322 mayacquire pixel voltages for the three pixels connected to each of thecolumn lines C1 to C6. In addition, the readout circuit 322 may sum uppixel voltages acquired from the first to third column lines C1 to C3and may sum up pixel voltages acquired from the fourth to sixth columnlines C4 to C6, in consideration of shapes of the pixel groups.

Next, referring to FIG. 14B, fourth to sixth control signals TG4 to TG6may be sequentially input to fourth to sixth row lines R4 to R6connected to second pixel groups. The readout circuit 322 maysequentially acquire pixel voltages of pixels connected to the fourthrow line R4, pixel voltages of pixels connected to the fifth row lineR5, and pixel voltages of pixels connected to the sixth row line R6through the column lines C1 to C6. The readout circuit 322 may sum up atleast a portion of pixel voltages acquired through the column lines C1to C6 in consideration of shapes of the pixel groups.

Image data generated from a pixel signal in a low luminance environmentmay be generated as described with reference to FIG. 12. For example,nine pixels connected to the first to third row lines R1 to R3 and thefirst to third column lines C1 to C3 may be defined as one unit pixel.The control logic 323 may generate image data using unit pixels definedas nine pixels adjacent to each other in a 3×3 form as described above.Therefore, although resolution of pixels included in the pixel array 310is lower than the number thereof, a high-quality image in which asubject is accurately expressed even in a low luminance environment maybe provided.

FIG. 15 is a view schematically illustrating a pixel array of an imagesensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, a pixel array 400 of an image sensor according toan embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality ofpixels 410 and 420 arranged in the first direction (the X-axisdirection) and the second direction (the Y-axis direction). The pixelarray 400 may include a color pixel 410 and a white pixel 420, and thenumber of color pixels 410 and the number of white pixels 420 may bevariously changed. For example, the number of white pixels 420 may begreater than the number of color pixels 410. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 15, the number of white pixels 420 may be threetimes the number of color pixels 410.

The color pixel 410 may provide a pixel group PG, together withperipheral white pixels disposed around the color pixel 410 among thewhite pixels 420. Referring to FIG. 15, one color pixel 410 may provideone pixel group PG, together with three peripheral white pixels. In eachof the pixel groups PG, the color pixels 410 may be disposed at the sameposition.

The color pixel 410 may include a color filter selectively passing lightof a specific wavelength. For example, the color filter may pass one ofred, green, and blue light. Referring to FIG. 15, a color pixel 410included in one pixel group PG may include a color filter having a colordifferent from that of a color pixel 410 included in another pixel groupPG, adjacent in the first direction or the second direction. Colorpixels 410 included in the four pixel groups PG disposed adjacent toeach other in a 2×2 form in the first direction and the second directionmay include two green color pixels, one red color pixel, and one bluecolor pixel, and may configure a Bayer pattern.

According to embodiments, the color pixel 410 may provide anautofocusing function. To this end, the color pixel 410 may include aplurality of photodiodes separated in at least one of the firstdirection or the second direction. In some embodiments, the white pixel420 may also include a plurality of photodiodes to provide anautofocusing function.

FIGS. 16A to 16C are views schematically illustrating a pixel array ofan image sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16C, pixel arrays 500, 500A,and 500B of image sensors may include pixel groups PG and each of thepixel groups PG may include a plurality of pixels arranged in a 5×5form. Each of the pixel groups PG may include a color pixel 510, 510A,or 510B and a white pixel 520, 520A, or 520B, and the number ofrespective color pixels 510, 510A, and 510B may be less than the numberof respective white pixels 520, 520A, and 520B.

First, referring to FIG. 16A, each of the pixel groups PG may include acolor pixel 510 and white pixels 520 disposed around the color pixel510. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16A, the color pixel 510 andthe white pixels 520 may be disposed in the pixel array 500 at a ratioof 1:24. A color pixel 510 may be disposed in a central portion of eachof the pixel groups PG, and white pixels 520 may be disposed in aperipheral portion of each of the pixel groups PG. As illustrated inFIG. 16A, the color pixel 510 may be disposed in the central portion ofeach of the pixel groups PG, and an effect of cross-talk may beminimized.

Configuration of a pixel circuit in the pixel array 500 may be similarto that described above with reference to FIG. 10A or 10B. For example,in each of the pixel groups PG, five pixels disposed at the sameposition in the first direction (the X-axis direction) may be connectedto one column line extending in the second direction (the Y-axisdirection) and may share a floating diffusion, a drive transistor, orthe like. When an image sensor captures an image of a subject in a lowilluminance environment, pixel voltages corresponding to chargesgenerated by photodiodes included in the five pixels may be outputthrough each of the column lines. Therefore, sensitivity of an imagesensor may be improved and an image accurately representing a subjectmay be generated even in a low illuminance environment.

Referring to FIG. 16B, each of the pixel groups PG may include fivecolor pixels 510A and white pixels 520A disposed around the five colorpixels 510A. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16B, the color pixels510A and the white pixels 520A may be arranged in the pixel array 500Aat a ratio of 1:4. In each of the pixel groups PG, the five color pixels510A may be arranged in an X-shape. Alternatively, the five color pixels510A may be arranged in a cross shape.

Next, referring to FIG. 16C, each of the pixel groups PG may includethree color pixels 510B and white pixels 520B disposed around the threecolor pixels 510B. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16C, a ratio ofthe number of color pixels 510B to the number of white pixels 520B maybe 3:22. Although it is illustrated that color pixels 510B are disposedin the same diagonal direction in pixel groups PG, color pixels 510B maybe disposed in different diagonal directions in at least a portion ofthe pixel groups PG.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16C, the color pixels510, 510A, and 510B may provide an autofocusing function. For example,each of the color pixels 510, 510A, and 510B may include a plurality ofphotodiodes separated in at least one of a first direction or a seconddirection. In some embodiments, each of the white pixels 520, 520A, and520B may also include a plurality of photodiodes to provide anautofocusing function.

In addition, color pixels and white pixels may be combined in differentamounts from the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16C. Forexample, nine color pixels may be arranged in a 3×3 form, and sixteenperipheral white pixels may be arranged in a form surrounding the colorpixels.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views schematically illustrating a pixel array ofan image sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, pixel arrays 600 and600A of image sensors may include pixel groups PG and each of the pixelgroups PG may include a plurality of pixels arranged in a 4×4 form. Eachof the pixel groups PG may include a color pixel 610 or 610A and a whitepixel 620 or 620A, and the number of respective color pixels 610 and610A may be greater than the number of respective white pixels 620 and620A. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, at least oneof the color pixels 610 and 610A and the white pixels 620 and 620A mayinclude a plurality of photodiodes to provide an autofocusing function.

First, referring to FIG. 17A, each of the pixel groups PG may includefour color pixels 610 and twelve white pixels 620 disposed around thefour color pixels 610. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG.17A, the color pixels 610 and the white pixels 620 may be arranged inthe pixel array 600 at a ratio of 1:4. Color pixels 610 may be disposedin a central portion of each of the pixel groups PG, white pixels 620may be disposed in a peripheral portion of each of the pixel groups PG,and an effect of cross-talk may be minimized.

Referring to FIG. 17B, each of the pixel groups PG may include two colorpixels 610A and fourteen white pixels 620A disposed around the two colorpixels 610A. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17B, thecolor pixels 610A and the white pixels 620A may be arranged in the pixelarray 600A at a ratio of 1:7. Although it is illustrated that two colorpixels 610A are disposed in the same diagonal direction in each of thepixel groups PG, color pixels 610A may be arranged in different diagonaldirections or may be disposed in the first direction or the seconddirection, in at least a portion of the pixel groups PG.

A pixel array of an image sensor according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure may include color pixels and white pixels. The colorpixels and the white pixels may provide a plurality of pixel groups,each of the pixel groups may include at least one color pixel, among thecolor pixels, and peripheral white pixels disposed around the at leastone color pixel, among the white pixels. A ratio of the number of colorpixels to the number of white pixels, included in the pixel array, maybe equal to a ratio of the number of at least one color pixel to thenumber of white pixels, included in each of the pixel groups. Forexample, each of the pixel groups may include at least one color pixeland white pixels at the same ratio.

The number of color pixels and the number of white pixels included inthe pixel array may be determined in consideration of a ratio of conecells and rod cells, present in a human eye. For example, the number ofwhite pixels may be four or more times the number of color pixels.According to embodiments, the number of white pixels may not beexpressed as an integer multiple of the number of color pixels.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are views schematically illustrating a pixel array of animage sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, pixel arrays 700 and 800may include a plurality of pixel groups WPG, RPG, GPG, and BPG,respectively. For example, the plurality of pixel groups WPG, RPG, GPG,and BPG may be classified as white pixel groups WPG, red color pixelgroups RPG, green color pixel groups GPG, and blue color pixel groupsBPG, and each of the plurality of pixel groups WPG, RPG, GPG, and BPGmay include a pair of pixels adjacent in the first direction (the X-axisdirection). According to embodiments, each of the plurality of pixelgroups WPG, RPG, GPG, and BPG may include a pair of pixels adjacent inthe second direction (the Y-axis direction).

In the pixel array 700 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.18, the plurality of pixel groups WPG, RPG, GPG, and BPG may be arrangedin the first direction and the second direction, and the number of whitepixel groups WPG may be greater than the number of color pixel groupsRPG, GPG, and BPG. Each of the white pixel groups WPG may include a pairof white pixels 710, and the color pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG mayinclude a pair of color pixels 720, 730, and 740, respectively. The pairof pixels included in each of the plurality of pixel groups WPG, RPG,GPG, and BPG may share a microlens ML, and thus a logic circuitconnected to the pixel array 700 may implement an autofocusing functionusing a phase difference between pixel signals acquired from the pair ofpixels included in each of the plurality of pixel groups WPG, RPG, GPG,and BPG. Due to arrangement of the pixel groups WPG, RPG, GPG, and BPGin the pixel array 700, microlenses ML may be arranged in a zigzag formin the second direction.

In an embodiment, first pixel groups disposed in a first position in thesecond direction, among the plurality of pixel groups WPG, RPG, GPG, andBPG, may include a portion of the color pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPGand a portion of the white pixel groups WPG. Referring to FIG. 18, in asecond line from the top in the second direction, green color pixelgroups GPG respectively including a pair of green color pixels 720, andwhite pixel groups WPG may be arranged. As illustrated in FIG. 18, atleast one white pixel group WPG may be disposed between a pair of greencolor pixel groups GPG closest to each other in the first direction.

First color pixels constituting first color pixel groups may includecolor filters passing light of the same color. For example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, in the second line from the top inthe second direction, only green color pixel groups GPG including greencolor pixels 720 including green color filters may be disposed.Similarly, in a third line from the top in the second direction, redcolor pixel groups RPG including red color pixels 730 may be arrangedtogether with white pixel groups WPG and in a fourth line from the topin the second direction, blue color pixel groups BPG including bluecolor pixels 740 may be arranged together with white pixel groups WPG.For example, color pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG of different colorsmay not be arranged together in the first direction.

Second pixel groups disposed in a second position, different from thefirst position, in the second direction may include only second whitepixel groups, which may be a portion of the white pixel groups.Referring to FIG. 18, only white pixel groups WPG may be disposed in thefirst line from the top in the second direction. For example, the secondpixel groups may not include the color pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG.

In an embodiment, color pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG may be arrangedat different positions in the second direction according to a colorpassed by a color filter. Referring to FIG. 18, green color pixel groupsGPG, red color pixel groups RPG, and blue color pixel groups BPG may bearranged at different positions in the second direction. Also, thenumber of green color pixel groups GPG may be greater than the number ofred color pixel groups RPG and the number of blue color pixel groupsBPG.

At least one of the green color pixel groups GPG may be disposed at thesame position as at least one of the red color pixel groups RPG or theblue color pixel groups BPG in the first direction. Also, the colorpixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG disposed at the same position in thefirst direction may not be continuously arranged and at least one of thewhite pixel groups WPG may be disposed therebetween. For example, atleast one of the white pixel groups WPG may be disposed between at leastone of the green color pixel groups GPG and at least one of the bluecolor pixel groups BPG disposed at the same position in the firstdirection.

Each of the color pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG may be surrounded by atleast a portion of the white pixel groups WPG in the first direction andthe second direction. For example, in FIG. 18, boundaries of each of thecolor pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG may be in contact with boundariesof the white pixel groups WPG, not boundaries of the other color pixelgroups among the color pixel groups RPG, GPG, and BPG.

The pixel array 800 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19may have a structure similar to that of the pixel array 700 describedwith reference to FIG. 18. The number of white pixel groups WPG includedin the pixel array 800 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.19 may be relatively less than the number of white pixel groups WPGincluded in the pixel array 700 described with reference to FIG. 18.

Referring to FIG. 19, at least one color pixel group among color pixelgroups RPG, GPG, and BPG may be disposed in all positions defined in thesecond direction. For example, a structure in which only white pixelgroups WPG are disposed in a direction extending in the first directionmay not appear.

Also, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, the number of greencolor pixel groups GPG may be greater than that in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 18. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, thenumber of green color pixel groups GPG may be twice the number of redcolor pixel groups RPG and the number of blue color pixel groups BPG,respectively. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, the number ofgreen color pixel groups GPG may be four times the number of red colorpixel groups RPG and the number of blue color pixel groups BPG,respectively. In each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19,a ratio of the number of the white pixel groups WPG and the color pixelgroups RPG, GPG, and BPG may be as illustrated in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Embodiments FIG. 18 FIG. 19 Number of Red Color Pixel Groups N MNumber of Blue Color Pixel Groups N M Number of Green Color Pixel Groups2N  4M  Number of White Pixel Groups 14N  12M 

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the number of whitepixel groups WPG may be greater than the numbers of color pixel groupsRPG, GPG, and BPG. This is considering the ratio of cone and rod cellsin a human eye. By arranging more white pixel groups WPG, sensitivity ofan image sensor may be improved and quality of an image generated by theimage sensor may be improved.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are views schematically illustrating an electronicdevice including an image sensor according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 20, an electronic device 1000 may include a cameramodule group 1100, an application processor 1200, a PMIC 1300, and anexternal memory 1400.

The camera module group 1100 may include a plurality of camera modules1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c. Although the drawing illustrates anembodiment in which three (3) camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 care arranged, embodiments are not limited thereto. In an embodiment, thecamera module group 1100 may be modified to include only two (2) cameramodules. In addition, in an embodiment, the camera module group 1100 maybe modified and implemented to include n (where n is a natural number of4 or more) camera modules. In addition, in an embodiment, at least oneof the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c includedin the camera module group 1100 may include the image sensors describedin FIGS. 1 to 19.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 21, a configuration of the camera module1100 b will be described in more detail, but the following descriptionmay be equally applied to other camera modules 1100 a and 1100 caccording to an embodiment.

Referring back to FIG. 21, the camera module 1100 b may include a prism1105, an optical path folding element (hereinafter referred to as“OPFE”) 1110, an actuator 1130, an image sensing device 1140, and astorage device 1150.

The prism 1105 may include a reflective surface 1107 of a lightreflecting material to change a path of light L externally incident.

In an embodiment, the prism 1105 may change the path of the light L,incident in the first direction X, to the second direction Y,perpendicular to the first direction X. In addition, the prism 1105 mayrotate the reflective surface 1107 of the light reflecting material in adirection A around a central axis 1106 or may rotate the central axis1106 in a direction B, to change the path of the light L incident in thefirst direction X to the second direction Y, perpendicular thereto. Inthis case, the OPFE 1110 may also move in the third direction Z,perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

In an embodiment, as illustrated, a maximum rotation angle of the prism1105 may be 15 degrees or less in a positive (+) direction of thedirection A and may be greater than 15 degrees in a negative (−)direction of the direction A. Embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the prism 1105 may move in a positive (+) direction ora negative (−) direction of the direction B by around 20 degrees orbetween 10 degrees and 20 degrees or between 15 degrees and 20 degrees.In this case, a moving angle may be an angle that may move at the sameangle or may move to almost the same angle in a range of around 1 degreein the positive (+) or negative (−) direction of the direction B.

In an embodiment, the prism 1105 may move the reflective surface 1107 ofthe light reflecting material in the third direction (e.g., thedirection Z), parallel to an extending direction of the central axis1106.

The OPFE 1110 may include, for example, optical lenses of m (where m isa natural number) groups. The m optical lenses may move in the seconddirection Y to change an optical zoom ratio of the camera module 1100 b.For example, if a basic optical zoom magnification of the camera module1100 b is Z, when the m optical lenses included in the OPFE 1110 move,an optical zoom magnification of the camera module 1100 b may be changedto have an optical zoom magnification of 3Z, 5Z, or higher.

The actuator 1130 may move the OPFE 1110 or an optical lens(hereinafter, referred to as an optical lens) to a specific position.For example, the actuator 1130 may adjust a position of the optical lensto locate an image sensor 1142 at a focal length of the optical lens foraccurate sensation.

The image sensing device 1140 may include an image sensor 1142, acontrol logic 1144, and a memory 1146. The image sensor 1142 may sensean image of an object to be sensed by using light L provided through anoptical lens. The control logic 1144 may control an overall operation ofthe camera module 1100 b. For example, the control logic 1144 maycontrol an operation of the camera module 1100 b according to a controlsignal provided through a control signal line CSLb.

The memory 1146 may store information necessary for an operation of thecamera module 1100 b, such as calibration data 1147. The calibrationdata 1147 may include information necessary for the camera module 1100 bto generate image data using light L externally provided. Thecalibration data 1147 may include, for example, information on thedegree of rotation, described above, information on a focal length,information on an optical axis, or the like. When the camera module 1100b is implemented in the form of a multi-state camera of which a focallength is changed according to a position of the optical lens, thecalibration data 1147 may include a focal length value for each position(or state) of the optical lens and information related to autofocusing.

The storage device 1150 may store the image data sensed by the imagesensor 1142. The storage device 1150 may be disposed outside the imagesensing device 1140 and may be implemented in stacked form with a sensorchip constituting the image sensing device 1140. In an embodiment, thestorage device 1150 may be implemented as an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), but embodiments are not limitedthereto.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21 together, in an embodiment, the pluralityof camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c may include the actuator1130, respectively. Therefore, the plurality of camera modules 1100 a,1100 b, and 1100 c may include the same or different calibration data1147, respectively, according to an operation of the actuator 1130included therein.

In an embodiment, a camera module (e.g., 1100 b), among the plurality ofcamera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c, may be a folded lens typecamera module including the prism 1105 and the OPFE 1110, describedabove, and remaining camera module(s) (e.g., 1100 a or 1100 c) may be avertical type camera module not including the prism 1105 and the OPFE1110, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, a camera module (e.g., 1100 c), among the plurality ofcamera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c, may be a vertical type depthcamera for extracting depth information using, for example, infrared ray(IR). In this case, the application processor 1200 may merge image dataprovided from the depth camera with image data provided from anothercamera module (for example, 1100 a or 1100 b) to generate a 3D depthimage.

In an embodiment, at least two camera modules (e.g., 1100 a and 1100 b),among the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c, mayhave different fields of view (e.g., field of view angles). In thiscase, for example, optical lenses of the at least two camera modules(e.g., 1100 a and 1100 b), among the plurality of camera modules 1100 a,1100 b, and 1100 c, may be different from each other, but are notlimited thereto.

In addition, in an embodiment, field of view angles of each of theplurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c may be different.In this case, optical lenses included in each of the plurality of cameramodules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c may also be different from eachother, but are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100b, and 1100 c may be arranged to be physically separated from eachother. For example, a sensation area of one (1) image sensor 1142 maynot be divided and used by the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100b, and 1100 c, but an independent image sensor 1142 inside each of theplurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c may be disposed.

Referring back to FIG. 20, the application processor 1200 may include animage processing device 1210, a memory controller 1220, and an internalmemory 1230. The application processor 1200 may be implemented to beseparated from the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100c. For example, the application processor 1200 and the plurality ofcamera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c may be implemented to beseparated from each other, as separate semiconductor chips.

The image processing device 1210 may include a plurality of sub-imagesignal processors 1212 a, 1212 b, and 1212 c, an image generator 1214,and a camera module controller 1216.

The image processing device 1210 may include a plurality of sub-imagesignal processors 1212 a, 1212 b, and 1212 c, corresponding to thenumber of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c.

Image data generated from each of the camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and1100 c may be provided to the corresponding sub-image signal processors1212 a, 1212 b, and 1212 c through image signal lines ISLa, ISLb, andISLc, separated from each other. For example, image data generated fromthe camera module 1100 a may be provided to the sub-image signalprocessor 1212 a through the image signal line ISLa, image datagenerated from the camera module 1100 b may be provided to the sub-imagesignal processor 1212 b through the image signal line ISLb, and imagedata generated from the camera module 1100 c may be provided to thesub-image signal processor 1212 c through the image signal line ISLc.Transmission of such image data may be performed using, for example, acamera serial interface (CSI) based on a mobile industry processorinterface (MIPI), but embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, a sub-image signal processor may be disposed tocorrespond to a plurality of camera modules. For example, the sub-imagesignal processor 1212 a and the sub-image signal processor 1212 c maynot be implemented to be separated from each other, as illustrated, butmay be implemented to be integrated into a single sub-image signalprocessor, and image data provided from the camera module 1100 a and thecamera module 1100 c may be selected by a select element (e.g., amultiplexer) or the like, and may be then provided to the integratedsub-image signal processor.

Image data provided to each of the sub-image signal processors 1212 a,1212 b, and 1212 c may be provided to the image generator 1214. Theimage generator 1214 may use the image data provided from each of thesub-image signal processors 1212 a, 1212 b, and 1212 c, according toimage generation information or a mode signal, to generate an outputimage.

Specifically, the image generator 1214 may merge at least portion of theimage data generated from the camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 chaving different field of view angles, according to image generationinformation or a mode signal, to generate an output image. In addition,the image generator 1214 may generate an output image by selecting anyone of image data generated from camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100c having different field of view angles according to image generationinformation or a mode signal.

In an embodiment, the image generation information may include a zoomsignal or a zoom factor. Further, in an embodiment, the mode signal maybe, for example, a signal based on a mode selected by a user.

When the image generation information is a zoom signal (e.g., a zoomfactor) and each of the camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c hasdifferent fields of view (e.g., field of view angles), the imagegenerator 1214 may operate differently according to a type of the zoomsignal. For example, when the zoom signal is a first signal, aftermerging image data output from the camera module 1100 a and image dataoutput from the camera module 1100 c, the merged image signal and imagedata output from the camera module 1100 b, not used in the merging, maybe used to generate an output image. When the zoom signal is a secondsignal, different from the first signal, the image generator 1214 maynot perform such image data merging and may select any one of the imagedata output from each of the camera module 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c,to create an output image. Embodiments are not limited thereto, and amethod of processing image data may be modified and performed as needed.

In an embodiment, the image generator 1214 may receive a plurality ofpieces of image data having different exposure points in time from atleast one sub-image signal processor, among the plurality of sub-imagesignal processors 1212 a, 1212 b, and 1212 c, and may process highdynamic range (HDR) with respect to the plurality of pieces of imagedata, to generate merged image data having an increased dynamic range.

The camera module controller 1216 may provide a control signal to eachof the camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c. The control signalgenerated from the camera module controller 1216 may be provided to thecorresponding camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c through controlsignal lines CSLa, CSLb, and CSLc, separated from each other.

Any one of the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 cmay be designated as a master camera (for example, 1100 b), according toimage generation information including a zoom signal or a mode signal,and remaining camera modules (for example, 1100 a and 1100 c) may bedesignated as slave cameras. Such information may be included in thecontrol signal and may be provided to the corresponding camera modules1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c through the control signal lines CSLa, CSLb,and CSLc, separated from each other.

Camera modules operating as masters and slaves may be changed accordingto a zoom factor or an operation mode signal. For example, when a fieldof view angle of the camera module 1100 a is wider than a field of viewangle of the camera module 1100 b and the zoom factor indicates a lowzoom magnification, the camera module 1100 b may operate as a master andthe camera module 1100 a may operate as a slave. When the zoom factorindicates a high zoom magnification, the camera module 1100 a mayoperate as a master and the camera module 1100 b may operate as a slave.

In an embodiment, a control signal provided from the camera modulecontroller 1216 to each of the camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 cmay include a sync enable signal. For example, when the camera module1100 b is a master camera and the camera modules 1100 a and 1100 c areslave cameras, the camera module controller 1216 may transmit a syncenable signal to the camera module 1100 b. The camera module 1100 breceiving such a sync enable signal may generate a sync signal based onthe sync enable signal and may transmit the generated sync signal to thecamera modules 1100 a and 1100 c through a sync signal line SSL. Thecamera module 1100 b and the camera modules 1100 a and 1100 c may besynchronized with the sync signal, to transmit image data to theapplication processor 1200.

In an embodiment, a control signal provided from the camera modulecontroller 1216 to the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and1100 c may include mode information according to a mode signal. Based onthis mode information, the plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b,and 1100 c may operate in a first operation mode and a second operationmode in relation to a sensation rate.

In the first operation mode, the plurality of camera modules 1100 a,1100 b, and 1100 c may generate an image signal at a first rate (forexample, generate an image signal having a first frame rate), may encodethe generated image signal at a second rate, higher than the first rate(e.g., encode an image signal having a second frame rate, higher thanthe first frame rate), and may transmit the encoded image signal to theapplication processor 1200. In this case, the second rate may be 30times or less of the first rate.

The application processor 1200 may store the transmitted image signal,e.g., the encoded image signal, in the internal memory 1230, or in astorage 1400 outside the application processor 1200 and may then readthe encoded image signal from the internal memory 1230 or the storage1400, may decode the read image signal, and may display image datagenerated based on the decoded image signal. For example, acorresponding sub-image signal processor, among the plurality ofsub-image signal processors 1212 a, 1212 b, and 1212 c of the imageprocessing device 1210, may decode the read image signal and may alsoperform image processing on the decoded image signal.

In the second operation mode, the plurality of camera modules 1100 a,1100 b, and 1100 c may generate an image signal at a third rate, lowerthan the first rate (e.g., generate an image signal having a third framerate, lower than the first frame rate), and may transmit the imagesignal to the application processor 1200. The image signal provided tothe application processor 1200 may be a signal, not encoded. Theapplication processor 1200 may perform image processing on the receivedimage signal or may store the received image signal in the internalmemory 1230 or the storage 1400.

The PMIC 1300 may supply power, for example, a power voltage to each ofthe plurality of camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c. For example,under control of the application processor 1200, the PMIC 1300 maysupply first power to the camera module 1100 a through a power signalline PSLa, may supply second power to the camera module 1100 b through apower signal line PSLb, and may supply third power to the camera module1100 c through a power signal line PSLc.

The PMIC 1300 may generate power, corresponding to each of the pluralityof camera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c, in response to a powercontrol signal PCON from the application processor 1200 and may alsoadjust a level of the power. The power control signal PCON may include apower adjustment signal for each operation mode of the plurality ofcamera modules 1100 a, 1100 b, and 1100 c. For example, the operationmode may include a low power mode. In this case, the power controlsignal PCON may include information on a camera module operating in thelow power mode and a level of the power to be set. The levels of piecesof power provided to each of the plurality of camera modules 1100 a,1100 b, and 1100 c may be the same or different from each other. Also,the level of power may be dynamically changed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pixel array maybe composed of color pixels and white pixels by simulating a cone celland a rod cell, included in a human eye, and binning and remosaic may beappropriately applied to raw data output from the pixel array accordingto external illuminance. Therefore, an image sensor having excellentsensitivity and resolution may be implemented.

Various advantages and effects of the present disclosure are not limitedto the above-described contents and can be more easily understood in thecourse of describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure.

As is traditional in the field, embodiments may be described andillustrated in terms of blocks which carry out a described function orfunctions. These blocks, which may be referred to herein as units ormodules or the like, are physically implemented by analog and/or digitalcircuits such as logic gates, integrated circuits, microprocessors,microcontrollers, memory circuits, passive electronic components, activeelectronic components, optical components, hardwired circuits and thelike, and may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. Thecircuits may, for example, be embodied in one or more semiconductorchips, or on substrate supports such as printed circuit boards and thelike. The circuits constituting a block may be implemented by dedicatedhardware, or by a processor (e.g., one or more programmedmicroprocessors and associated circuitry), or by a combination ofdedicated hardware to perform some functions of the block and aprocessor to perform other functions of the block. Each block of theembodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting anddiscrete blocks without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Likewise, the blocks of the embodiments may be physically combined intomore complex blocks without departing from the scope of the disclosure.An aspect of an embodiment may be achieved through instructions storedwithin a non-transitory storage medium and executed by a processor.

While embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variationscould be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosureas defined by the appended claims.

1. An image sensor comprising: a pixel array including a plurality ofpixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction,intersecting with the first direction, each of the plurality of pixelsincluding at least one photodiode, a pixel circuit below the photodiode,and a color filter above the photodiode; and a logic circuit configuredto acquire a pixel signal from each of the plurality of pixels through aplurality of column lines extending in the second direction, wherein:the plurality of pixels includes color pixels and white pixels, thenumber of the white pixels being greater than the number of the colorpixels, the pixel circuit includes a floating diffusion in which chargesof the photodiode are accumulated and transistors outputting a voltagecorresponding to amounts of the charges in the floating diffusion, andeach of the color pixels shares the floating diffusion with at least oneneighboring white pixel, among the white pixels, and each of the colorpixels is adjacent to the at least one neighboring white pixel, in thesecond direction.
 2. The image sensor of claim 1, wherein the colorfilter in each of the color pixels passes one of red light, green light,and blue light and the color filter in each of the white pixels passeswhite light.
 3. The image sensor of claim 1, wherein two or more whitepixels among the white pixels are disposed between a pair of colorpixels adjacent to each other in the first direction or the seconddirection, among the color pixels.
 4. The image sensor of claim 1,wherein the number of the white pixels is four or more times the numberof the color pixels.
 5. The image sensor of claim 4, wherein each of thecolor pixels is included in one pixel group with at least eightperipheral white pixels.
 6. The image sensor of claim 1, wherein each ofthe color pixels comprises a first photodiode and a second photodiodearranged in the first direction or the second direction.
 7. The imagesensor of claim 1, wherein the each of the color pixels and the whitepixels comprises a first photodiode and a second photodiode arranged inthe first direction or the second direction.
 8. An image sensorcomprising: a pixel array including a plurality of pixels connected to aplurality of row lines extending in a first direction and a plurality ofcolumn lines extending in a second direction, intersecting with thefirst direction, each of the plurality of pixels including at least onephotodiode and a pixel circuit below the at least one photodiode; and alogic circuit configured to acquire a pixel signal from each of theplurality of pixels, wherein: the plurality of pixels includes colorpixels and white pixels, the number of the white pixels being greaterthan the number of the color pixels, and the logic circuit is configuredto acquire the pixel signal only from each of the color pixels whenexternal illuminance is equal to or higher than a threshold value andacquire the pixel signal from each of the plurality of pixels whenexternal illuminance is lower than the threshold value.
 9. The imagesensor of claim 8, wherein the logic circuit performs a remosaic processfor the pixel signal acquired from each of the color pixels to generatean image, when the external illuminance is equal to or greater than thethreshold value.
 10. The image sensor of claim 8, wherein: the pluralityof pixels comprises a plurality of pixel groups, and each of theplurality of pixel groups includes at least one color pixel among thecolor pixels and two or more peripheral white pixels among the whitepixels.
 11. The image sensor of claim 10, wherein the logic circuit isconfigured to simultaneously acquire the pixel signal from each of twoor more pixels sharing one column line among the plurality of columnlines, in each of the plurality of pixel groups, when the externalilluminance is lower than the threshold value.
 12. The image sensor ofclaim 11, wherein the image sensor is configured to use the pixel signalacquired from each of the plurality of pixel groups to generate imagedata.
 13. The image sensor of claim 8, wherein the number of the whitepixels is four or more times the number of the color pixels.
 14. Animage sensor comprising: a pixel array including a plurality of pixelsconnected to a plurality of row lines extending in a first direction anda plurality of column lines extending in a second direction,intersecting with the first direction, the plurality of pixels providinga plurality of pixel groups; and a logic circuit configured to acquire apixel signal from each of the plurality of pixels, wherein: theplurality of pixels includes color pixels and white pixels, the numberof the white pixels being greater than the number of the color pixels,each of the plurality of pixel groups includes at least one color pixelamong the color pixels and peripheral white pixels disposed around theat least one color pixel among the white pixels, and a boundary betweena pair of adjacent pixel groups among the plurality of pixel groups is aboundary between the peripheral white pixels.
 15. The image sensor ofclaim 14, wherein: each of the plurality of pixel groups comprises twoor more color pixels among the color pixels, and the two or more colorpixels have a color filter of the same color.
 16. The image sensor ofclaim 15, wherein the two or more color pixels are continuously arrangedin at least one of the first direction or the second direction.
 17. Theimage sensor of claim 15, wherein the two or more color pixels areadjacent to each other in a diagonal direction, different from the firstdirection and the second direction.
 18. The image sensor of claim 14,wherein: the plurality of pixel groups comprises a first pixel group anda second pixel group adjacent to the first pixel group in the firstdirection or the second direction, and the at least one color pixelincluded in the first pixel group and the at least one color pixelincluded in the second pixel group comprise color filters havingdifferent colors.
 19. The image sensor of claim 18, wherein two or morewhite pixels among the white pixels are disposed between the at leastone color pixel included in the first pixel group and the at least onecolor pixel included in the second pixel group. 20.-21. (canceled) 22.The image sensor of claim 14, wherein: each of the plurality of pixelscomprises a photodiode generating charges in response to light and apixel circuit using the charges of the photodiode to output the pixelsignal, and the at least one color pixel and at least one neighboringwhite pixel sharing one of the column lines with the at least one colorpixel share at least a portion of elements included in the pixelcircuit. 23.-39. (canceled)